We are seeking a Project Officer for the recently launched Turner-Kirk Centre for Spatial Reasoning at the University of Glasgow. A key function of the Centre is to deliver STEM SPACE, a programme introducing spatial reasoning development to Scottish primary schools via mathematics lessons, to accelerate maths skills development and prepare pupils for success in STEM subjects when they reach secondary school. This programme aims to roll out spatial reasoning development to 800 schools, or 40% of all Scottish primary schools, across all 32 local authorities in Scotland; we expect this level of adoption, with demonstrated success, will lead to a tipping point where all schools adopt the approach.

There are four key aspects to the Centre’s activities: setting up the Centre and day-to-day operations; enrolling and supporting the 32 local authorities to roll out the spatial reasoning approach to their schools; collecting and analysing evidence about the adoption and success of the approach; and enhancing the teaching materials to ensure universal access for learners of all backgrounds. This role will take a lead on the first four aspects; the post of Resource Developer will take a lead on the last aspect, while supporting the first four where appropriate. 

Job Purpose

The postholder will lead the management of operational activities and strategic planning for the Turner Kirk Centre for Spatial Reasoning, and provide comprehensive project management support to the Director and staff. The Centre aims to become a cross-College and cross-institutional Centre, actively seeking funding to build on initial core activity. The postholder will work collaboratively with other teams within the College and University Services to ensure effective communication takes place and a seamless research management support service is delivered to the Director and staff. The postholder will be expected to work as part of a team under the immediate line management of the Centre Director (Prof Quintin Cutts), contributing to ongoing projects where appropriate.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Management and oversight of Centre operational activities, including the core administrative systems, events and activities of Centre on behalf of the Centre Director. The post holder will be expected to take a leading role in planning and organising to deliver on strategic priorities.

2. Play a leading role on workload planning with a strategic, forward-looking focus, coordinating input from colleagues across the University of Glasgow and other institutions. This includes close collaboration with Centre staff and incoming PhD students, planning and tracking tasks to ensure timely and successful delivery of Centre initiatives.

3. The post holder will lead and deliver Centre events such as symposia, summits and conferences.

4. Take a leading role in the delivery of actions and projects as agreed with the Centre Director and other senior colleagues as appropriate, including local authority liaising, data handling and teacher communications, with discretion to act independently and on behalf of the Director where appropriate. This requires the post holder to establish an excellent knowledge of current strategic projects of the Centre, working closely with colleagues using negotiating and influencing skills to establish appropriate input.

5. Proactively manage and monitor the Centre’s financial budgets, providing regular reports, forecasts, and analysis to the Centre Director, along with informed budgetary recommendations.

6. Management of Centre digital platforms, including leading the development and writing of content for website and social media posts.

7. Oversight and active monitoring or Centre budget including expenditure for consumable support, including monitoring spend across the research projects, liaising with colleagues in the CoSE Research Support Office.

8. Clerk and support regular meetings, including coordinating and drafting agendas, collating and reviewing papers, presentations, minutes and actions.

9. Communicate with internal and external stakeholders where required, including the public. Be actively involved in appropriate cross-college collaborative working to build networks and share best practice. To interact and work collaboratively with 32 local authorities in Scotland, including establishing data sharing agreements, training champions and

10. Arrange Project International Advisory Board meetings and visits as required.

11. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Centre Director.

These key tasks are not intended to be exhaustive but simply highlight a number of major tasks which the staff member may be reasonably expected to perform.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge and Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9, (Ordinary Degree, Scottish Vocational Qualification level 4), or equivalent in a relevant discipline/business area with evidence of continued professional development in an area relevant to the role.

A2 Strong understanding of project management methodologies.

A3 Knowledge of current issues within Scottish school education.

Desirable:

B1 Working knowledge of UofG systems including Agresso.

B2 Extensive knowledge of the working procedures and requirements within the College and the University of Glasgow.

B3 Project Management qualification (PRINCE2, AGILE).

Skills

Essential:

C1 Excellent project management skills.

C2 Excellent time management skills with an ability to prioritise competing demands and multiple projects.

C3 Resilient and durable, able to maintain momentum in the face of obstacles and setbacks.

C4 Excellent influencing skills.

C5 Financial management and planning skills.

C6 Ability to work flexibly and adapt to changing environments.

C7 Ability to exercise initiative and work independently but also part of a team.

C8 Proven analytical, organisational, planning and problem-solving skills.

C9 Excellent oral and written communication skills with an ability to research and write reports for a variety of audiences and to draft and edit documents.

C10 Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to act positively with colleagues at all levels and to contribute effectively as a member of a team.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Significant experience of relevant research administration or project management.

E2 Experience of managing a portfolio of projects.

E3 Experience of building relationships with funding bodies/customers.

E4 Experience of financial management, budgeting, and forecasting.

E5 Experience of processing, analysing and presenting data.

E6 Experience of working successfully in a complex matrix organisational structure.

E7 Ability to co-ordinate a complex project, managing and controlling a budget, analysing data and generate budget reports.

E8 A high degree of computer literacy with experience of Microsoft Office.

E9 Proven problem-solving abilities across a broad range of areas.

E10 Ability to exercise initiative, set priorities and have a highly developed eye for detail and accuracy.

Desirable:

F1 Experience of using Agresso finance system.

F2 Experience of using T4.

F3 Experience of working in an HE or Research environment.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7, £41,064 - £46,049 per annum.

This post has funding for up to 32 months and is full time (35 hours per week), however applicants wanting to work part-time will also be considered.

The University of Glasgow has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.  If you require a Skilled Worker visa to work in the UK, you will be required to meet the eligibility requirements of the visa route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

Please note that this post may be eligible to be sponsored under the Skilled Worker visa route if tradeable points can be used under the Skilled Worker visa rules. For more information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community here.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.

For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Quintin Cutts, Quintin.Cutts@glasgow.ac.uk

Closing date: 24 November 2025 at 23:45.